Children who have a physical disability

Assessment process for Children and Young People with Physical Disability

If your child has a physical disability, you may already have been seen at the Ronnie Mackeith Centre at the Children’s Hospital, where the Occupational Therapist and Physiotherapist generally see children who are between 0 and 5 yrs. However, if you are new to the area, or if your child has developed difficulties later than age 5, your assessment with the Paediatric Therapy Team may be the first time you have come across occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

If your child has been supported by the therapists at the Ronnie Mackeith Centre, you may well be introduced to your community occupational therapist and physiotherapist when your child is starting school, and the community services are taking over from the RMC. All relevant information will be passed to your new OT or PT, but they are still likely to need to re-assess your child to keep up to date with any changes and also to get to know you and your child.

The assessment may take place at a clinic, at school, in your home or even at a respite care unit if your child goes to one. You will be asked to attend the first appointment to sign a consent form and to provide up to date information and discuss any concerns you or your child may have. The appointment will take about 1 – 1 ½ hours.

We may ask you to sign a Therapy Agreement form, which sets out the role of the therapist and how school and parents can assist with the therapy programme.

You will have opportunity to discuss short and long term therapy plans, and how often your child is likely to be seen. If your child has splints or other specialist equipment, these will require regular review and update. Although every effort is made to review your child appropriately, we rely on parents and where able the young person themselves, to let us know if there is a problem with splints, such as them being uncomfortable and not fitting well, or being outgrown. Your OT and PT will ensure you have contact details to keep us updated of any changes.